Lyster constructed his own ultra small diameter tube frame for this beastie, clearly not this one. Did he also make the brakes ?

Looks a bit like Alan Shep, but I don't ever remember him riding Ball's bikes ??

I thought he rode Jim Ball's bikes before about '63, Larry, - possibly the same ones later raced by Stuart Graham? It does look like Alan in the pic, almost certainly isn't though. It's from '67, a time when Alan was using the 300 MZ (or had he been forced to retire by then?) or whatever size it was supposed to be. Edit: I'm reminded, Larry, that he also rode for Geoff Monty, as well as for the AMC factory (maybe same bikes?). I'm a bit vague though on the chronology prior to him racing Kirby's G50.

I now believe it too. Apologies for getting it all arse about face. I had no recollection of the smaller bikes being fitted with discs et al. I might have checked out the shade of the number backround too. Thanks for sorting that, Glenn.

That's the only one I can remember with discs. Think that 350 four was kept in the UK for domestic Internationals, it certainly popped up a few times here and there after the sixes were introduced.Here is a pic of Dale Wylie on his Lyster G50 from 1969/70, note the similarity of the front end.

That's the only one I can remember with discs. Think that 350 four was kept in the UK for domestic Internationals, it certainly popped up a few times here and there after the sixes were introduced.Here is a pic of Dale Wylie on his Lyster G50 from 1969/70, note the similarity of the front end.

Yep, those are Lyster calipers and discs. Gary Boote had some molds done and made his own around 74-75. He even tried them (unsuccessfully) with locally made alu discs.

Good shot, aye. (Courtesy of Uncle AJ) The earlier mention of Dave 'Crashford" (bit harsh, maybe) reminds me that this guy earned a reputation for being quick and staying upright. I watched a lot of racing when a kid in the sixties and I don't think I can recall him ever falling off, although it must have happened ?

Yes, a good rider who was perceived as safe. He was alleged to have been selected to ride the TR2 for Bill Ivy's mum for this reason. I wonder if a similar calculation was made by Paul Dunstall after the loss of Fred Neville, Dave Downer and Syd Mizen ? In the same year as these pics were taken he went to Monza with Dunstall, coming back with a swag of 750 hour records. I think too that his stint on the GP circus was in the same year.

Yes, a good rider who was perceived as safe. He was alleged to have been selected to ride the TR2 for Bill Ivy's mum for this reason. I wonder if a similar calculation was made by Paul Dunstall after the loss of Fred Neville, Dave Downer and Syd Mizen ? In the same year as these pics were taken he went to Monza with Dunstall, coming back with a swag of 750 hour records. I think too that his stint on the GP circus was in the same year.

Rex was into flying after his racing career ended. Evidently he was/is a very competent pilot. Anyone know what he's up to these days?

Hi,I wonder if it is a 500 Triumph similar to the Percy Tait model possibly one of the factory test riders or maybe a home brewed look a like.

Pete

Yes at first glance it looks like a Tait Triumph but look how the fairing bulges out on the side wouldnt have thought a Triumph twin would need that sort of clearance maybe its some sort of two stroke or a home made four ? .Bill Lawrence

Been scratching my scone as well Bill, sure doesn't look like a Triumph motor hanging in behind that fairing and although it seems to have a long, tapered megaphone the motor looks like an aircooled two-stroke. The tank also is a strange shape, looks to taper downwards half way back, like the one on Alan Baker's Dunstall Kawasaki. Forks look more Norton than Triumph as well. Good excuse to slip in a pic of Paul Smart on his lovely little Targa Oondred...

[quote name='GD66' post='6254308' date='May 6 2013, 03:18']Been scratching my scone as well Bill, sure doesn't look like a Triumph motor hanging in behind that fairing and although it seems to have a long, tapered megaphone the motor looks like an aircooled two-stroke. The tank also is a strange shape, looks to taper downwards half way back, like the one on Alan Baker's Dunstall Kawasaki. Forks look more Norton than Triumph as well.

Don't forget that Sir Percys’ Triumph had the oil tank ahead of the engine behind the front wheel. Could this be what we are observing on a similar Triumph machine?

Also at the very top left of the piccie to the right of the two spectators is a dark V shaped object I think might be the Loch Ness Monster.

Been scratching my scone as well Bill, sure doesn't look like a Triumph motor hanging in behind that fairing and although it seems to have a long, tapered megaphone the motor looks like an aircooled two-stroke. The tank also is a strange shape, looks to taper downwards half way back, like the one on Alan Baker's Dunstall Kawasaki. Forks look more Norton than Triumph as well. Good excuse to slip in a pic of Paul Smart on his lovely little Targa Oondred...

Been scratching my scone as well Bill, sure doesn't look like a Triumph motor hanging in behind that fairing and although it seems to have a long, tapered megaphone the motor looks like an aircooled two-stroke. The tank also is a strange shape, looks to taper downwards half way back, like the one on Alan Baker's Dunstall Kawasaki. Forks look more Norton than Triumph as well. Good excuse to slip in a pic of Paul Smart on his lovely little Targa Oondred...

HI Glen i dont think it is a long tapered megaphone it dosnt line up with the bikes exhaust I think its the marshals foot behind the riders boot Bill Lawrence

Is there something about the tank/seat on the 'Triumph' in the earlier pic that resembles the arrangement on this one? Seems to me there might be. An oil tank/cooler behind the front wheel too. Since this photo was among Uncle's collection, albeit from a few years later, I wonder if it's a pic of the same bike in its then latest incarnation ? Flimsy evidence? I agree. There are two air scoops on the front stopper of the earlier bike, so it's probably fitted with an expensive 4ls brake, perhaps the same as the Fontana on Smart’s factory T100? Norton forks too. For me though there something about it that says it’s a homemade special. Then there’s the anonymous rider…..

Richard Negus once built and owned very sucessful Racing Norton Commandos, that were known to occasionally beat the Norton works efforts, one making 2nd place at the Barcelona 24 hour race (the factory bikes had fallen by the wayside early on in the race)

I wonder if it's a pic of the same bike in its then latest incarnation ?

Good question ! Looks like a fairly flimsy twin-downtube frame with the engine rotated forward a few degrees for a start. Triumph front hub with an 8" twin-leader, a far from convincing brake for a race bike. What about the state of the chain where it's feeding onto the rear sprocket? It's a wonder someone on here hasn't tumbled across this unusual creation at some stage...

Is that for your mate's replica ? The front is a conventional 9" Fontana, pics of the rear disc are very thin on the ground but I will have a look through some old mags.How's that project going, by the way ?